South Africa reverses its asylum application policy following anti-foreigner protests that turned violent in Johannesburg and Durban, where demonstrators set vehicles ablaze and looted businesses owned by foreign nationals.
The department announced the decision on Friday, a day after protesters set vehicles ablaze and looted businesses owned by foreign nationals during demonstrations against migrants.
The withdrawn directive was intended to implement a July 7 Constitutional Court ruling that asylum seekers could not be denied access to South Africa’s asylum system solely on procedural grounds, including entering the country illegally.
In a statement, the department said the directive was introduced to facilitate operations but quickly placed significant pressure on refugee reception centres. It added that the situation threatened the safety of officials and raised concerns about public safety and order.
Authorities have blamed misinformation about the court ruling for contributing to the unrest. They clarified that the judgment does not automatically grant undocumented migrants refugee status, permanent residency or other legal rights.
South Africa, Africa’s largest economy, has experienced a rise in anti-immigrant protests, straining relations with other African countries and prompting thousands of foreign nationals to leave the country.
Migrants are frequently accused of contributing to unemployment, crime and pressure on public services. However, social scientists say these allegations lack sufficient supporting evidence.
During Thursday’s violence, protesters set 14 vehicles ablaze in Durban and another 10 in Soweto, Johannesburg. Businesses owned by foreign nationals were also looted.
Lieutenant General Puleng Dimpane, a senior police official, told reporters in Soweto on Friday that calm had returned to the area. She spoke near the wreckage of vehicles destroyed during the unrest.
In Durban, police spokesperson Robert Netshiunda said the situation had stabilised, adding that officers’ prompt intervention had helped prevent further damage.
Goodness Anunobi
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